Identification and Demonstration of a Technology Adaptable to Locating Water in Post-tensioned Bridge Tendons

The research team has identified a technology with great potential for identifying and locating water in post-tensioned bridge members. This project called for the identification of a technology that can be developed to find hazardous materials in civil structures — specifically, water in post-tensioned bridge tendons. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) needs the ability to locate this water in a reliable, non-destructive way. Currently, FDOT spends time and energy checking the condition of individual strands and reacting to any troubled strand by searching for bleed water at its most likely location. The search, however, has been conducted using destructive methods that are not as reliable as desired. By using non-destructive methods to locate the water early, the water can be removed before damage is done to the strands. Also only those locations where state engineers are certain of the location of water will be disturbed. The days of blind, destructive searches will be over. The research team tested four technologies for their potential to provide a non-destructive, accurate, and efficient method for identifying and locating this harmful bleedwater. These technologies were ultrasonic sound waves, ground-penetrating radar, impact echo, and gamma-ray spectroscopy. Gamma-ray spectroscopy shows, by far, the most potential for development.

• Record URL:
  http://ftp.fdot.gov/file/d/FTP/FDOT%20LTS/CO/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_SMO/FDOT_BD545_45_rpt.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://ftp.fdot.gov/file/d/FTP/FDOT%20LTS/CO/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_SMO/FDOT_BD545_45.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Florida, Gainesville

  Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, P.O. Box 116580
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611-6580

  Florida Department of Transportation

  605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Minchin Jr, R Edward
• Publication Date: 2006-12-29

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge members; Bridges; Gamma rays; Ground penetrating radar; Hazardous materials; Location; Nondestructive tests; Posttensioning; Spectroscopy; Structures; Technology; Ultrasonic waves; Water
• Candidate Terms: Impact echo tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Tendons (Bridges)
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01044272
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Project Number 52084, BD545-45
• Contract Numbers: 54484
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 3 2007 6:40AM